This classic safari destination promises big five sightings, stunning natural landscapes, and so much more.
Tourist Visa for US Citizens: Visitors to Kenya require valid passports, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Kenya. A tourist visa is required for Canadian and American passport holders and this must be obtained online at evisa.go.ke prior to your arrival in Kenya. Visitors are advised to register well in advance as there may be a 10-day processing period.
► US Department of State Kenya Information
► Official Kenya E-Visa application
► CIBTvisas
CIBTvisas gives excellent Passport & Visa assistance for leisure and business travelers.
The main International airport is NBO Jomo Kenyatta International.
Be prepared for you flights to arrive / depart near the midnight hours.
► Wikipedia information on NBO Jomo Kenyatta International
The best source to check which airlines are servicing the airport.
Being on the Equator, your options are mostly Rainy or Dry Season. Due to the elevation, the days rarely get extremely hot. Many Camps may not offer Air Conditioning, since it is generally considered not needed.
Rainy Season:
Short: Nov-Dec-Jan, mostly evening showers
Long: March-April-May, the true rainy season
Nairobi
Size: 12 rooms and suites
Style: Special
Year Opened: 1932
Most Recent Renovation/Update: 2011
Giraffe Manor boutique hotel in Nairobi is an exclusive hotel with a resident herd of wild Giraffes. Owned by The Safari Collection, this boutique hotel in Nairobi, is one of the most unique places to stay in the world. Giraffe Manor blends extraordinary wildlife encounters with exquisite hospitality and a long-term commitment to giraffe conservation. The historic manor house is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in the Langata suburb of Nairobi and is one of Nairobi’s most iconic buildings. It has extraordinary appeal that harks back to the 1930s when visitors first flocked to East Africa to enjoy safaris. With its stately façade, elegant interior, verdant green gardens, sunny terraces and delightful courtyards, guests often remark that it’s like walking into the film “Out of Africa”: indeed, one of its twelve rooms is named after the author, Karen Blixen.
I AM A THE SAFARI COLLECTION PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
Maasai Mara
Size: 12 rooms and suites
Style: Indigenous, Casual
Year Opened: 2013
Most Recent Renovation/Update: 2018
Designer/Architect: Real Studios and byDESIGN
Sir Richard Branson’s Kenyan safari camp, Mahali Mzuri, offers an unforgettable safari experience in the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Each of the 12 luxury tented suites is on a raised platform and includes a spacious bedroom with an en suite bathroom, sitting area, and deck overlooking the pristine landscape. The camp is located in the path of the Great Migration – on a typical game drive, you’ll spot wildebeests, elephants, zebras, lions, buffalo, topi, hippopotamuses, and more! The impressive dining options include a wide selection of African and international dishes served in the main dining tent or out in the bush.
I AM A VIRTUOSO PREFERRED PARTNER
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom
• $100usd (or more) F&B or Spa Credit
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
and more
Laikipia
Size: 14 rooms and suites
Style: Stunning Safari Camp
Year Opened: 2025
Kenya’s Laipikia plateau is one of the last game-rich areas in the country that isn’t yet fully stocked with safari camps, allowing for a wilder, more rugged experience than you might encounter now in, say, the Mara. Now, andBeyond will open a new, 14-tent lodge in the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy here next summer, offering a chance to spot a raft of rare and endangered mammals—Grévy’s zebra, for example, as well as reticulated giraffes. It will offer the chance to engage with local communities, including the Samburu and Pokot pastoral tribes, as well as explore the varied landscapes here, which range from savannah to dense vachellia woodland.
PART OF MY &BEYOND PARTNER PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
► UBIGI eSIM
For Asia / Africa / Oceania, Ubigi is my favorite selection for a travel eSIM.
► VIRTUOSO: Kenya Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.
► WIKIVOYAGE: Kenya Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Kenya.
► MAGICAL KENYA website
The official visitor information for Kenya.
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page updated: February 2025
images courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Kenya Tourism Board
Please Note: All Hotel / Resort / Cruise / Services Amenities are subject to availability and may have changed since the date of this being originally published.
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